Alexander Zverev stuns Novak Djokovic to win World Tour Finals

This has unquestionably been Novak Djokovic's year in men's tennis. But that didn't matter to Alexander Zver...

Posted: Nov 19, 2018 10:12 AM

Updated: Nov 19, 2018 10:12 AM

Posted By: CNN Wire

This has unquestionably been Novak Djokovic's year in men's tennis. But that didn't matter to Alexander Zverev on Sunday as he stunned Djokovic 6-4 6-3 in London to become the youngest winner of the year-end championships since the Serb himself in 2008.

Djokovic had looked destined to become the first man since Zverev's coach, Ivan Lendl, in 1986 to win the World Tour Finals or its predecessors without dropping a set, such has been his glittering form at the O2 Arena and in the second half of 2018 in general.

Indeed all signs pointed to Djokovic equaling Roger Federer's haul of six year-end crowns -- Federer lost to Zverev in a dramatic semifinal Saturday.

Yet Zverev -- the 21-year-old tipped to be a multiple grand slam winner in the future despite a rocky start to his grand slam career -- was the last man standing to also become Germany's first champion at the event since one of his mentors, Boris Becker, in 1995.

No one before had ever beaten Djokovic and Federer at the same edition of the year-end championships.

"Obviously it's quite astonishing, winning this title, beating two such players back-to-back, Roger and Novak, in the semifinals and finals," Zverev told reporters. "Means so much. I'm incredibly happy and incredibly proud of this moment right now."

Djokovic errors

While Zverev flourished, Djokovic dipped.

"I was making way too many unforced errors," Djokovic told reporters. "From 4-4 in the first set, my game really fell apart. But credit to him because he played solid.

"Health wise I haven't been really perfect in the last three, four weeks," added Djokovic. "That took a lot out of me.

"Of course finishing the year as No. 1, that was the goal coming into the indoor season. I managed to achieve that. Overall it was a phenomenal season that I have to be definitely very proud of."

The 6-foot-6 Zverev served huge Sunday -- delivering 10 aces -- covered the court terrifically and cleverly altered the shape on his ground strokes, pinning a baffled Djokovic back by hitting with plenty of spin.

When the world No. 4 fell to Djokovic in the group stage 6-4 6-1, the ninth game proved massive.

Djokovic saved two break points, broke in the next game, then cruised.

The ninth game was pivotal again in the title match and on this occasion it went Zverev's way. He broke courtesy of a forehand error and clubbed three aces to begin the ensuing game.

Consecutive breaks

A rattled Djokovic was broken again to start the second but when he broke right back, it felt like a comeback could be on the cards. This was, after all, Djokovic.

It was not to be, however, with Zverev breaking for 2-1 to regain the advantage and never looking back.